The book, Al-Muhannad Ala Al-Mufannad, states the following in regards to the Aqa’id of the Ulama of Deoband, “We as well as our Masha’ikh follow the Imam of the Muslims, Abu Hanifa رحمه الله, in matters of Usul (Aqa’id) and Furu’ (Ahkam).” (Al-Muhannad Ala Al-Mufannad pg. 41, Naweed Publishers) Another passage states, “We as well as our Maska’ikh رحمهم الله and all of our groups, follow one of the exemplars of mankind and the pinnacles of Islam, Imam Abu Hanifa An-Nu’man رحمه الله in matters of Furu’ (Ahkam) and we adhere to the teachings of the magnanimous Imams Abul Hasan Al-Ashari رحمه اللهand Abu Mansoor Al-Maturidi رحمه الله in matters of Usul (Aqaid).” (Al-Muhannad Ala Al-Mufannad pg. 27, Naweed Publishers)

Both of these passages express the position of the Ulama of Deoband. They follow the Fiqh of Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله and adhere to the teachings of the two Imams of the Aqa’id of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah, namely Abul Hasan Al-Ashari (324 AH) رحمه اللهand Abu Mansoor Al-Maturidi (333 AH) رحمه الله.

These two great Imams completely and systematically codified the tenets and fundamental beliefs of the Ahlus Sunnah after the age of the Fuqaha such as Imam Abu Hanifa (150 AH)رحمه الله . During the era of the Fuqaha, such comprehensive codification had not fully taken place. Only certain tenets and creeds were categorized and codified by Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه اللهand others. Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله prepared a book on Aqa’id entitled Al-Fiqh al-Akbar which is still found today. Thus, it is correct for a person to state that he follows both, Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله as well as Abul Hasan Al-Ashari رحمه الله or Abu Mansoor Al-Maturidi رحمه الله.

By mentioning that the Ulama follow Abu Mansoor Al-Maturidi رحمه الله in Aqa’id, one might assume that this necessitates opposing Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله in certain tenets and beliefs. However, this is incorrect as the Ulama of the Hanifa Madhhab do not oppose Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله in any article of faith. They merely attribute their Aqa’id to one of the two codifiers of the creed of the Ahlus Sunnah who merely recorded and systemized the same Aqa’id of Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله and other Mujtahideen.

In regards to the Fiqh of the Hanafi Madhhab, the majority of the books relied upon by the Ulama were compiled by Imam Abu Hanifa’s رحمه الله famous student, Imam Muhammad bin Hasan Al-Shaybani رحمه الله . He compiled the views of Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله in writing. Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله did not himself author a book on Fiqh. However, as previously mentioned, he did compile a book on Aqa’id (Al-Fiqh al-Akbar) as well as a book of Ahadith (Musnad Abi Hanifa).

And Allah knows best Darul Iftaa

Madrasah Inaa’miyyah

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